Mr Mahmood, who won with 18,269 votes, supported the invasion of Iraq and said the result showed it was not a major issue with voters.

He claimed Liberal Democrat predictions of a hugely increased vote were "wishful thinking".

"We have increased the Labour vote and it has been a very good day for us despite all the campaigning about the war," he said.

"The people of Perry Barr understood what the real issues are."

Lib Dem candidate Jon Hunt claimed "dirty tricks" were to blame for Mr Mahmood's majority - but admitted the seat was never a realistic target for his party.

He said: "I never expected to win the seat, but the movement of people to support us shows that many parts of the community were angry about the war and concerned at what Labour were doing.

"A lot of leaflets went out from Labour [to voters] last night which accused me of nonsense like supporting the legalisation of hard drugs and prostitution zones, which secured the Labour majority," he claimed.

A 55.7 per cent turnout produced a respectable result for Dr Mohammad Naseem, chairman and chief spokesman of Birmingham's Central Mosque who represented George Galloway's Respect party and received 2,173 votes.